JoshuaM's '97 Celica ZR, The Final Chapter - Goodbye Options

[JoshuaM]

Hello 6GC'ers,

So here it is, my project thread, or more like a details thread because I don't think it will be evolving very quickly

Getting my Celica:

I decided about 2 years ago that I wanted to get a Celica for my first car (I am 17 now). I was originally looking at '93 model 5th Gen Celica manual Liftback (All lift back 5th and 6th gen Celicas in Aus have the 5S-FE), but once I started saving up a but more I decided to go for a 6GC. I liked the exterior styling of a nice clean 5th gen (has to be the update model though), but I was drawn to the 6th gens for the increased safety features, tighter turning circle, and their much nicer interior. It was also much easier to find them in good condition with low mileage. And I am now completely hooked on 6GC's

So I was on the hunt for a '96-99 model ZR Celica (This is the top-spec model in Australia, equiv. to the GT/GT-S) manual with less than 180,000kms. My preference was red, and i wanted a sunroof, but I wasn't ruling anything out.

After searching regularly for a number of months, I came to the conclusion that it was going to be very difficult to find what I wanted in my budget near me. The ONLY car that I found in my state that suited my requirements was from a dealer and felt very untidy when I test drove it, lots of rattles etc. it felt like it had been thrashed... A theory supported when I found a fire extinguisher in the passenger footwell and receipts for heavy duty shocks and coils. Very disappointingly, this was not the car for me.

I kept searching and eventually found 'the one'. A Completely stock standard Silver 1997 model Toyota Celica ZR Manual, in excellent condition, with only 140,000kms (about 87,000 miles). Optional features included being the Factory Sunroof, Air con, Tinting and an Aftermarket Alarm upgrade (update: which I have now found out doesn't work ).

It was initially too expensive for me. I kept looking at it every day, wishing that I could afford it... And 'if only' it was $1000 cheaper.... But then one day they dropped the price by $800, and I was on the phone immediately.

The problem was, it was in a dealership in Melbourne, AUS, just under 2000kms away from me. Because of the demand for cars out of Melbourne, it was too expensive to ship, so I had to organize to fly down and drive it back myself (an entire 2 weeks after I got my license).

After a very long process of organisation and the minor inconvenience of them selling the car to somebody else when I was organizing a mechanic inspection, it was mine XD

Here it is:
















The Future:

I have always been very much a fan of the stock look on Celicas (with all of the factory goodies installed of course!), so I do not have any extravagant plans..... And since purchasing my car I am now a broke uni student

But I am planning a few small things:

Aftermarket head unit for iPod integration.
JDM Clear Side Indicators
Spree LED dash kit + possibly everything else as well

I also have a few different ideas about less common mods to do, but they will require a lot of thought and probably some forum threads

But you never know, if I keep reading all of you guys project builds I might eventually get a proper mod bug

I will keep updating this thread when I do anything, but I don't imagine I will be moving terribly quickly.

This post has been edited by JoshuaM: Sep 6, 2015 - 11:20 AM

[JoshuaM]

So it has been a little while since I have updated this... I have been really busy with university assignments and exams - but they finished for the Semester a few days ago

A reasonable amount has happened with my Celica in this time... Not all good though

Coolant System

As some of you would have seen on the 'Today I...' thread, one day on the way home I had parked on the side of the road with the engine running for about 10 minutes when I made some phone calls. When I merged back on I looked down and saw my temperature gauge soaring into the red :'(



I pulled over and let it cool off and hobbled home. I initially thought it was an electrical problem with the fans, until after some help from some other on here we discovered that's just how the fans roll I had lost about 1.2 litres of coolant.

Eventually with Dad's help we found the leak (not forgetting that all of this happened on the first day of exam period!) - the heater hose on the control module on the firewall. After hobbling around for another week with no aircon and being super gentle with it we investigated the offending hose further. We were expecting a cracked plastic heater control, but it was in fact just a swollen pipe. Temporary fix was just some pipe sealant and a new adjustable hose clamp until I order the new pipes. Haven't had any troubles since





At the same time I did a full flush of the coolant system; which I had been planning to do soon anyway. Unfortunately I had to redo this the next morning as when I was filling the system I noticed that it was full after only adding about 3L of coolant (out of approx. 6.5L system) - coming to the conclusion that half if the fluids were staying in the engine rather than draining since both radiator hoses were positioned near the top of the engine block. I had done two full flushes with water after the cleaning agent, but that wasn't enough if only 50% was being drained each time - so 2 coolant changes in <24 hours

*End Saga* It has been behaving very nicely ever since

JDM Side Visors

Now to the other saga At the start of June I bought a set of JDM side visors from Japan on eBay from seller jdm_used_parts - mainly so that on frosty mornings I could use the wiper bottles without the water wicking into the cabin for the next 5 minutes However, when they arrived via EMS express there were a few problems (again, occurring in the middle of exams taking up very valuable time and energy -.-). First of all, I noticed that there were no ends of the box - just tape with a tiny bit of the visors bulging through each end. After unwrapping it I discovered a chip missing out of the end of the visor where it had been poking through. Frustrating, but I probably would have just dealt with it. However, upon further inspection there were a few other scuff marks and scratches and a couple of tiny chips that were not mentioned when I specifically asked about these before the sale. Also, the location of the largest scuff mark was over the Toyota badge which showed the item I received was not the one pictured (as the seller claimed).

The real kicker was when I took them outside though.... THEY AREN'T EVEN 6GC!!! My guess is that they are the cheaper 7th Gen ones, as the curves are much sharper, and the mounting points are different. My doors wouldn't even open with these on.

I contacted the seller immediately, who promptly replied that none of the damage was there before (BS - impossible), the images were the same as the pictures (yet he has listed another set with the same pictures which also claims you will receive the items in the pictures... A bit difficult if you were to believe his claim that they were the ones in my living room), they were definitely 100% for a st202 and that any and all damage from mint condition (not his words, but it was inferred) was damage caused in transit (again, complete BS). His closing sentiment was that he was not doing anything until I lodged a damage in transit report with the local postal service, which I have since done, but I disagree with since it was obviously damaged caused before postage, and during postage due to unsuitable packaging - neither of which are covered under the policy. So in my mind I have been forced to attempt insurance fraud

So now 3 weeks after shelling out my cash and paying for express shipping I have no visors and not even an ETA. I'm not worried because I am so obviously in the right for a PayPal refund, it is just how much drama the seller is going to cause in the interim.







Japan Order

My projectors arrived!!! XD However in the long (6 week!) journey here two of the tabs on one of the low beams cracked off. So currently I am waiting for a free day to take off the bumper, line up the tabs in the right spots, fix and install. Before that I am waiting for either the plugs to make my wiring harness to arrive, or waiting to find some locally to save waiting




Crystal Indicators

As posted in Today I, I put on my crystal style front indicators the other day. These were purchased to go with the projectors, but I figured I'd stick them on first...and I was very pleased with the result!!!

Before



Comparison



After



And... Teaser for when I get chrome bulbs / LEDs





Was very good.... Until I stripped the head of the other screw -.- Update - I asked the local Toyota dealer for a replacement but they can't source them any more, so I guess I will just try and find an equivalent at the hardware store.

Euro Stuff

... Still waiting They haven't even been sent out yet since I believe some of my stuff has been lost in the post between Ireland and the mainland UK.

Other Plans

- Paint calipers and rear hubs (red and black respectively) will be done next week hopefully. Was going to do it this week but I am working nights this week and would like to leave the paint to cure overnight.

- Install a hidden cigarette lighter socket under the dash to wire up my dash cam's parking mode. I bought the plug yesterday, so I'll install this week Need to remove some trim to run the wire for it through the roof and pillar too.

- I have spark plugs ready to install, and want to get a couple of other little maintenance things done.

- Find SSIII front splitters

- Swap over to JDM rear wiring harness for tail lights, modified to include a *cough*TrailerHitch*cough*

- Thinking about switching the colour of all my interior LED's again... We'll see

- Looking for a TRD quickshifter - I have found one at the moment but they want $250 plus international shipping for it used

- Install some other random bits and pieces I have been collecting.

- Wash it more / ignore it less

- New wheel alignment to correct for the economy car setup the shop did last time.

- Enjoy it! I went on a big mountain drive yesterday and pushed it on some great roads... Has been almost 10 months since I have been up there and I had forgotten how amazing it was to drive like that! So that will definitely be happening more often

AND a new pic with the clear front indicators;